You might not know this but I'm with you all the way.

Neji had no idea what to say, how to act, anything. He couldn't afford to buy her more flowers, so he got her a teddy bear from the gift shop in the hospital instead, and was near strangling it in the elevator as he made his way up to the fourth floor.

When the bell dinged, informing him he'd arrived at his destination, his grip on the bear tightened a little, and he forced it to relax. He walked slowly down the white hallway that reeked of disinfectant, avoiding eye contact with any nurses, going straight to her room. The door stood ajar and he peeked around it, and found her staring at him, almost expectantly.

He forced a smile, slipping inside, leaving the door open just a crack behind him. He felt shy. It was so new for him, especially around this girl he'd known all his life. He offered her the teddy bear and a thin hand, an IV imbedded in it, grasped it, held it close.

She looked ill, like she hadn't eaten or slept in weeks. Neji was almost certain that both of the above were true. "Hinata-sama," he whispered, sinking into the chair beside her bed, "what happened to you?"

Hinata stared at him in a dim way, her thoughts far away.

Hands, breasts, feet – pink from scorching water.

Scrubbing.

"Hinata?" he brushed her hair from her face, she grabbed his wrist.

Dirty. Invaded.

All over her. Forcing inside her.

Pain.

She blinked at his hand, which was shaking slightly in her grip. Slowly, timidly, she let her fingers slide up to touch his palm, then pressed her whole hand to his, marveling at how small she was compared to him. "You're so much bigger than me." She whispered out.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He started to lift his other hand.

"No."

He froze.

"Can we … can we stay like this for a while?" she laced her fingers with his. "Like this?"

Neji's arm fell, and his hand closed over hers, trying to force his warmth into her cold skin. "As long as you'd like."

0

Hinata's eyes were wide. "You're kidding."

Neji grinned, leaning lazily against his chair, arm slung over the back. "Nope."

She blinked incredulously. "You've never had a root beer float?"

"Never."

"That's … just not normal."

He laughed. "Come on. There has to be something common that you've never eaten."

She sat back against her pillow, thinking.

It had been almost two weeks since Neji had first come to visit her in the hospital. The doctors were stunned by the sudden progress she was making. She ate regularly, and laughed a lot, and even asked to see her father. They said she'd be able to go home in a few days.

She still wouldn't talk about what happened, and the only one who she even came close to telling was Neji. He didn't push her – he knew she'd tell him when she was ready – and he'd guess most of it anyway.

"I've got it!" She snapped her fingers. "I've never had a doughnut."

Neji's eyebrow lifted. "And you think I'm weird.

Hinata smiled brightly, tucking her hands between her thighs. "It must run in the family."

He laughed, and she stared at him. She didn't think she'd ever heard him laugh before. Neji radiated stoicism and sober silence – mirth didn't even seem to fit into his range of emotion. She soaked in his laughter, enjoying the clear ringing of it around the white room, closing her eyes and snuggling deep against her pillow. A weight settled on the edge of the bed, a warm breath was gentle on her cheek.

"Am I wearing you out?" Neji murmured, his hair brushing against her neck.

She opened her eyes just enough to glimpse his face, to see his hand held out before him. She placed her own against it, linking her fingers with his. "Thank you." She whispered.

"For?"

"For not making me be anything more than I am." Her eyes averted to the white sheet pooled around her waist. "For … being satisfied with this."

Neji reached out with a tentative hand – hesitant, questioning – and when she didn't flinch, let his fingertips brush against her face. "Hinata-sama," his voice was soft, almost timid, "I've never said it before, but … I love you." – warmth spreading in her chest – "I'm willing to wait for you to be ready for me."

A blush crept up her face under his opaque gaze; she suddenly felt very sleepy – content- and settled back again into her pillow, holding Neji's hand tightly against her stomach. "Neji-nii-san?"

"Hm?"

Her eyes started to close. "I … I love you too."

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Additional Author Note: This chapter was partially inspired by a conversation I had with my friend Kat – who has never had a root beer float.